Abstract: A vapor cell heating assembly, method, and high temperature optical system including a vapor cell having exterior surfaces; a slide disposed on at least one exterior surface of the vapor cell; a heating element disposed on the at least one exterior surface, the heating element including a frame and a first opening in the frame to pass light through the frame to the at least one exterior surface; and a shell disposed on the vapor cell to hold the slide and heating element to the vapor cell, wherein the shell includes a plurality of structural elements, each structural element disposed on a corresponding exterior surface of the vapor cell and aligned to adjacent structural elements at edges, and wherein each structural element includes a second opening to pass light through the structural element to a respective exterior surface.

Abstract: A method of making an atomic vapor source includes positioning a glass base of a vapor cell in a vacuum chamber, providing an alkaline-earth metal in the glass base, and positioning a linear motion feedthrough mechanism adjacent the vacuum chamber in line with the glass base. The method includes sealing and evacuating the vacuum chamber, and positioning, using a linear motion actuator of the linear motion feedthrough mechanism, a glass lid to contact the glass base of the vapor cell to form an optical contact bond therebetween.

Abstract: Decompressing sliding window compressed data requires reference to previously decompressed character sequences. Previously decompressed data is stored in a history buffer to satisfy these ‘back references.’ As each decompressed/decoded character is emitted, it is stored in this history buffer. Thus, for each decompressed character that is emitted, the history buffer may need to be accessed at least twice—once to retrieve the backreference, and once to store the emitted character. A pipeline architecture is disclosed that stores decompressed characters in a write queue that coalesces eight or more emitted characters before they are stored in the history buffer memory. This reduces collisions between accessing the history buffer memory to retrieve the backreferences and the storing of the emitted character. This also allows the use of a single-ported memory which is less expensive than a multi-ported memory.

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104), and an anti-rotation fixture (124), configured to prevent rotation of the drum (108) about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a handle (126) and a bracket (104), connected to the handle (126). The apparatus (100) further comprises a drum (108), rotatably coupled to the bracket (104) and rotatable about a first axis (110) relative to the bracket (104), a drum motor (130), mounted to the handle (126), and a drum power-transmitting component (132), rotationally coupling the drum motor (130) and the drum (108). The apparatus (100) also comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), which is parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: An apparatus (100), for cleaning a surface (102), comprises a bracket (104) and a drum (108), coupled to the bracket (104) and rotatable relative to the bracket (104) about a first axis (110). The apparatus (100) further comprises a brush motor (114), mounted to the drum (108), and a brush (112), rotatable by the brush motor (114) relative to the drum (108) about a second axis (116), parallel to the first axis (110).

Abstract: Fabricating a capacitor includes obtaining a sheet of material having a first phase of an anode metal oxide on an anode metal. The anode metal oxide is an oxide of the anode metal. A portion of the first phase of the anode metal oxide is converted to a second phase of the anode metal oxide. At least a portion of the second phase of the anode metal oxide is removed from the sheet of material. In some instances, the first phase of the anode metal is converted to the second phase of the anode metal oxide as a result of the process used to extract a capacitor anode from the sheet of material.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for depositing an extrudable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128). The cartridge (124) is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and the outer tubular sleeve wall (112).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for dispensing a brushable substance (102) comprises a bracket (104) and a sleeve (110), comprising an inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and an outer tubular sleeve wall (112). The sleeve (110) is coupled to the bracket (104) and is rotatable relative to the bracket (104) about a first axis (118). The apparatus (100) also comprises a cartridge (124), comprising an inner tubular cartridge wall (126) and an outer tubular cartridge wall (128). The cartridge (124) is configured to be positioned between the inner tubular sleeve wall (114) and the outer tubular sleeve wall (112).

Abstract: A method for partitioning for a hypergraph including a plurality of nodes into a plurality of bins includes assigning each node of the hypergraph to one of the plurality of bins to generate a candidate solution, and for each pair of nodes in the candidate solution, calculating a weighted covariance based on the bin assignment of each node of the pairs of nodes in the candidate solution. The assigning and the calculating are repeated to generate an accumulated weighted covariance for the pairs of nodes, from which a seed partition of the hypergraph is generated.

Abstract: A portable work module includes a combination of prismatic and revolute joints (47/45) for positioning and orienting a robotic end effector for performing a task within confined space (17). For example, the portable work module may include telescoping arm (52) integrated with wrist (70) having a plurality of degrees of freedom with respect to telescoping arm (52). The portable work module includes an insert that is secured with respect to an access port of confined space (17), said access port serving as a reference location for calculating the position of the robotic end effector within confined space (17). The portable work module is configured to have a compacted configuration for insertion into confined space (17), and an extended configuration for performing tasks within confined space (17). In some examples, the portable work module is modular, such that the robotic end effector or other components may be selectively removed and replaced.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for making metal-connected particle articles. A metal containing fluid is selectively applied to a layer of particles. The metal in the fluid is used to form metal connections between particles. The metal connections are formed at temperatures below the sintering temperature of the particles in the layer of particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for making metal-connected particle articles. A metal containing fluid is selectively applied to a layer of particles. The metal in the fluid is used to form metal connections between particles. The metal connections are formed at temperatures below the sintering temperature of the particles in the layer of particles.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for making metal-connected particle articles. A metal containing fluid is selectively applied to a layer of particles. The metal in the fluid is used to form metal connections between particles, The metal connections are formed at temperatures below the sintering temperature of the particles in the layer of particles.

Abstract: In a three-dimensional printing method example, a metallic build material is applied. A positive masking agent is selectively applied on at least a portion of the metallic build material. The positive masking agent includes a radiation absorption amplifier that is compatible with the metallic build material. The metallic build material is exposed to radiation from a spatially broad, high energy light source to melt the portion of the metallic build material in contact with the positive masking agent to form a layer. The radiation absorption amplifier i) has an absorbance for the radiation that is higher than an absorbance for the radiation of the metallic build material, or ii) modifies a surface topography of the at least the portion of the metallic build material to reduce specular reflection of the radiation off of the at least the portion of the metallic build material, or both i) and ii).

Abstract: In an example method for forming three-dimensional (3D) printed electronic parts, a build material is applied. An electronic agent is selectively applied in a plurality of passes on a portion of the build material. A fusing agent is also selectively applied on the portion of the build material. The build material is exposed to radiation in a plurality of heating events. During at least one of the plurality of heating events, the portion of the build material in contact with the fusing agent fuses to form a region of a layer. The region of the layer exhibits an electronic property. An order of the plurality of passes, the selective application of the fusing agent, and the plurality of heating events is controlled to control a mechanical property of the layer and the electronic property of the region.

Abstract: A portable programmable machine enhances efficiency and ergonomics associated with conducting otherwise manual operations within confined spaces. A main body supports a programmable telescoping arm configured to extend through an access port to reach a confined space. The arm includes an articulating wrist for holding and manipulating tools for autonomously processing work parts. The machine can also act semi-autonomously to accommodate interventions of an operator for overriding and fine-tuning interaction of a tool with a work part for proper processing of the part. The arm communicates with a computer in the main body for processing numerical data, and the operator may use a reference camera to fine tune any particular process. The machine incorporates multiple processing functions, for example collar swaging, nut running, cleaning, and/or application of sealants, all through an aircraft wing access port. The main body has lockable wheels for securing the main body near the access port.

Abstract: A capacitor and methods of processing an anode metal foil are presented. The capacitor includes a housing, one or more anodes disposed within the housing, one or more cathodes disposed within the housing, one or more separators disposed between an adjacent anode and cathode, and an electrolyte disposed around the one or more anodes, one or more cathodes, and one or more separators within the housing. The one or more anodes each include a metal foil that includes a first plurality of tunnels through a thickness of the metal foil in a first ordered arrangement, the first ordered arrangement being a close packed hexagonal array arrangement, and having a first diameter, and a second plurality of tunnels through the thickness of the metal foil having a second ordered arrangement and a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: A sharps container for safe storage of used pen needles, pen needle assemblies, syringe needles, syringe needle covers, and combinations thereof having a substantially non-porous housing which includes a receiver which receives and actively conveys external pen needles, pen needle assemblies, syringe needles, syringe needle covers, and combinations thereof into the interior of the housing; an internal storage compartment sized to facilitate the safe storage of a plurality of used pen needles or syringe needles and optional needle covers. The internal storage compartment including a material capable of absorbing and storing fluids which may incidentally be associated with the used pen needles or syringe needles. The receiver for pen needles, pen needle assemblies, syringe needles, syringe needle covers, and combinations thereof is visually distinguished from the surrounding portions of the housing by one or both of having a different color or different color patterning relative to the surrounding housing.